Norrona Lofoten Hiloflex200 Review
Cons: Awkward hood design, poor breathability
Manufacturer: Norrona
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Norrona Lofoten Hiloflex200 | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | | ||
| Price | $170 List | $161.21 at Backcountry | $82.73 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $114.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Warm, wind resistant | Great mobility, highly breathable, well-fitted | Inexpensive, great breathability, stretchy | Incredibly light, very mobile | Superlight, wind protection, packable |
| Cons | Awkward hood design, poor breathability | Only one hood adjustment, average weight | Limited weather protection | Limited weather protection, few features | Not durable, minimal wet weather protection |
| Bottom Line | This is a unique softshell jacket that includes a facemask that some skiers or climbers might find useful | This stretchy and mobile jacket is great for climbing and skiing thanks to its above-average breathability | For summertime rock climbing where cool winds and rough surfaces are expected | This is one of the lightest softshells out there, perfect for cool windy days at the crag | This is the lightest softshell jacket we have tested, and it is a great choice for active sports |
| Rating Categories | Norrona Lofoten Hil... | Marmot ROM 2.0 | Outdoor Research Fe... | Rab Borealis | Mountain Hardwear K... |
| Weather Protection (30%) | |||||
| Breathability (30%) | |||||
| Mobility (25%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Versatility (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Norrona Lofoten Hil... | Marmot ROM 2.0 | Outdoor Research Fe... | Rab Borealis | Mountain Hardwear K... |
| Measured Weight (size medium) | 17.6oz | 17.1oz | 13oz | 10.5oz | 4.5oz |
| Material | 92% recycled polyester, 8% elastane | 92% nylon, 8% elastane | Body/hood: 86% nylon, 14% spandex 90D stretch woven ripstop Shoulders/lower sleeves: Cordura 91% nylon, 9% spandex 120D stretch woven |
Lightweight Matrix single weave with 2-way stretch and DWR | Pertex Quantum Air 20D stretch ripstop nylon |
| Type | Active | Technical | Active | Technical | Technical |
| Lined/Insulated? | Fleece backing | No | No | No | No |
| Hood? | Yes | Yes | Yes, adjustable | Yes, under helmet with lycra binding | Yes, non-adjustable |
| Number of Pockets (zippered unless otherwise noted) | 2 hand, zippered chest | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest, 1 zippered | 3 (2 handwarmer, 1 chest) | 2 (external chest) | 2 handwarmer |
| Adjustable Cuffs? | No | Yes, Velcro | Elastic cuffs | Lycra cuffs | Elastic cuffs |
| Available Sizes | S - L | S - XXL | S - XXL | S - XXL | S - XXL |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Hiloflex200 is a decent softshell jacket that performed adequately in most of our review metrics but did not stand out in a way that made it rise above the others. For certain applications, such as climbing in windy conditions, the integrated facemask may be a benefit, but more than likely, you'll find it an annoyance.
Performance Comparison
Weather Protection
The Lofoten Hiloflex200 uses a woven polyester/elastane blend to comprise the outer shell. This heavier weight material adequately blocks wind and snow, though it was not tight enough to offer much protection from wetter precipitation. The inner recycled fleece backing aids in warmth, making this a more favorable jacket for cooler weather. The elastic thumb loops help keep the jacket cuffs in place, though the cuffs felt too tight to slip over gloves. We had to wear gloves over the cuffs, which does not offer as much weather protection. The hood is only useful if you plan on wearing it underneath a helmet. It is not made of weather-resistant material and is more like a sewn-on balaclava.
Breathability
This jacket performed slightly below average when we considered breathability. It uses a fleece backing, which makes it warm, but it also felt like it trapped perspiration when on steady uphill climbs. The fibers do not easily dry out, which caused us to feel cool and uncomfortable after stopping. This softshell would be a more appropriate choice for someone recreating in cooler weather who will benefit from the added warmth and wind protection that the fleece offers and who does not expect to be exerting as much.
Mobility
The Hiloflex200 is reasonably mobile, with stretchy fabric and a trim fit. We found it to respond well to the demands of climbing, skiing, and hiking. The thumb loops are a benefit to climbers who plan to do a lot of overhead reaching.
Weight
This jacket had a verified weight of 17.6 ounces. This puts it on the heavier end of the spectrum, but that is only due to the extremely lightweight nature of some of the other jackets our review. At barely over a pound this weight is fine, and for those looking for a warmer softshell, a couple of extra ounces for the fleece backing will seem worth it.
Versatility
Versatility was a metric we could not give this jacket high scores because of how awkward the facemask/hood combo is to use, how it is really only meant to be worn under a helmet, and how it does not offer any wet weather protection. One of the things we had an issue with was deploying the facemask when already wearing the hood.
Value
The Lofoten Hiloflex200 is a reasonably priced softshell when judged against the retail prices of other jackets we reviewed, though it is a very niche jacket that is more of a specialized tool than a do-it-all performer.
Conclusion
If you prefer to wear your hood underneath a climbing or ski helmet, and you often like to wear a facemask or balaclava for wind protection, then this jacket might be the right call for you. But if you don't need such a niche feature and value breathability and water resistance, you may want to look elsewhere.
— Ryan Huetter